An introvert exploring faith and real life experiences, which shape this journey.

Why Such a Hurry?

Getting used to living at a quicker pace on the East Coast, or “Mid-Atlantic”, as I’ve heard it called recently, has certainly been a challenge.

The faster pace is very subtle, so it’s hard to describe, but the rush that everyone seems to be in, is draining at times.

And now that we are in the season of Advent and preparation for Christmas, it’s only getting worse.

I used to love to drive. After all, I drove from Indiana to Nebraska and back, a few times a year, during my college years. The time I have spent on the road was enjoyable because there was time to think, time to listen to music or a podcast. Time to just be.

We have been here for a little over a year and I noticed how much of a hurried, angry driver that I have become and I hardly recognize myself.

Why is everyone in such a rush? We have these wonderful, comfortable vehicles that get us from place to place. Sun roofs, satellite radios, heated seats, what more could I ask for?

We get time to gather our thoughts and prepare for a work or school day. We get some rest between the busyness and pace of every day.

It’s the in-between time. A time of waiting. A time of preparation.

It sounds a lot like Advent.

Advent means “coming” and it’s that time of preparation just before the celebration of the birth of our Savior.

Even Mary and Joseph, as they hurried to Bethlehem for the census, were in anticipation and a time of waiting for the birth of their son, our Savior.

So instead of stressing about the countdown until Christmas. I am going to enjoy the in-between time of preparing and waiting.

…And that includes many minutes in my car, enjoying the drive from place to place and embracing the in-between.